A lot of ups and downs in baseball this week. As the injuries pile up, new opportunities have given some great players the chance to shine. Many of them are still available and can be a boost to your team for the rest of the season.
Emilio Pagan CP San Diego Padres
The Padres lost Kirby Yates to a season-ending injury, and then Drew Pomeranz also went down without a timetable for his return. That opened the door for somebody to lock down a spot that had the most saves in the league last year.
Pagan had not looked his best when he was first called up, but since he has gotten the closer gig, he has looked a lot better. On Sunday, he recorded his second straight save and went right through the heart of the Houston Astros’ order. He pitched a perfect 1-2-3 inning to get his second save in three days.
Pagan plays for the Padres, which is turning out to be one of the best teams in baseball right now. Pagan has all the extra things you like in closers: a good team and opportunity. This weekend helped cement his hold on the role, and closing pitchers on good teams are tough to get. If this is one of your needs, make sure to make Pagan your number one priority pickup.
Alec Bohm 3B Philadelphia Phillies
Bohm got called up about a week and a half ago and has been pretty solid. Even so, he is only 20% owned as of right now, but after his big performance on Sunday, he will be sought after.
He went 3-3 2R 1RBI 1HR, with his first home run in the big leagues. Bohm (.344AVG 1HR 4RBI 32AB) has been hitting and playing an excellent 3B since he got called up. I see Bohm sticking with the Phillies and getting better as the season goes on. He does not have any real competition to take any at-bats away. Go pick up Bohm now before he has another big game, and it is too late.
Ryan Mountcastle SS Baltimore Orioles
Mountcastle just got called up this past week and has only played in three games, but his pedigree as a hitter has already shown. He has three hits in nine at-bats to start his career off.
The Orioles have been scoring runs with ease this season and should be able to sustain this current production. Mountcastle will not be looked at to be a huge part of this offense, which will help him ease his way into this lineup and concentrate on taking good at-bats.
Mountcastle is listed as SS right now but has been playing OF since he got called up. This should give him an additional position eligibility option soon.